Kamikaze Drones

GS Paper III

News Excerpt:

Recently India has developed its own Kamikaze Drones.

More About the News: 'Suicide' or 'kamikaze' drones, also referred to as loitering aerial munitions (LAM), are becoming increasingly significant in ongoing conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict, highlighting their potential to reshape contemporary warfare. Owing to its importance India has also developed its own Kamikaze.

About Kamikaze Drones:

  • Kamikaze Drones(Loitering Aerial Munitions (LAM)): Kamikaze drones, also known as Switchblade drones, are compact unmanned aircraft armed with explosives, designed to be flown directly at a target, where they detonate upon impact. Unlike traditional drones, kamikaze drones are single-use weapons, often referred to as loitering munitions or suicide drones.
  • Precision Targeting and Flexibility: These weapons boast the unique capability to linger over a target area for extended durations until the target is identified, offering precision-targeting capabilities and the flexibility to alter targets mid-flight or abort missions if necessary.
  • Operational Capabilities: Kamikaze drones can be deployed for many miles behind the front line, waiting in the airspace for targets to emerge. Equipped with cameras, they provide real-time video downlinks for operators to identify and engage targets. The Switchblade drones have the ability to adjust the blast radius, allowing operators to minimize collateral damage and even abort missions seconds before impact.
  • Indigenous Innovation: In collaboration with the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), Kadet Defence Systems (P), a 13-year-old Indian defense systems manufacturer, has pioneered India's first Loitering Aerial Munitions (LAM) for the armed forces.
  • Versatile Design and Adaptability: Various versions of the domestically designed and manufactured LAM systems are under development to meet diverse operational requirements, with weights ranging from 15 kg to 120 kg and explosives payloads from 2 to 40 kg.
  • Extended Operational Capability: The largest variant of the drone can sustain loitering for approximately 12 hours, with adaptable designs for various terrains, including deserts, plains, and high-altitude environments, boasting a launch altitude capability exceeding 5,000 meters.
  • Launch Flexibility and Future Plans: These systems can be launched from the shoulder or vehicles, with plans for an air-launched version in development. The LAM's range extends from 150 km to 300 km with a rocket-assisted canister launch and a hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) system.
  • Cutting-Edge Technological Features: The LAM systems integrate a range of cutting-edge technologies, including Canister Aerial Loitering Munition (CALM), Combat UAVs with stand-off capabilities for munition release, Tactical VTOL UAVs, and systems capable of swarming and manned-unmanned teaming operations.
  • Rapid Production and Market Potential: With a contract secured for over 50 systems in 2024, Kadet Defence Systems (P) aims to scale up production to deliver an estimated 5,000 units within the next 2-3 years. The market size for LAMs in India is estimated to be around Rs 15,000 crore.

Conclusion:

India is ramping up its military capabilities amidst global conflicts, focusing on advanced weaponry for its armed forces. In April 2023 Indian Army ordered Nagastra Kamikaze drones from its emergency use fund which itself highlights the importance of these drones. These drones are agile, cost-effective, and can bypass traditional defenses, marking a significant shift in modern warfare tactics. As conflicts evolve, the strategic importance of kamikaze drones is expected to increase.

History of Kamikaze: 

  • The term "kamikaze" translates to "divine wind," originally inspired by a typhoon that fortuitously dispersed a Mongol invasion fleet threatening Japan in 1281. Kamikaze refers to Japanese pilots during World War II who conducted intentional suicidal crashes into enemy targets, primarily ships. 
  • This term also applies to the aircraft utilized in such attacks. The practice was most prevalent from the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944 until the war's end.  Typically, kamikaze planes were conventional fighters or light bombers, often loaded with bombs and extra fuel tanks before being flown deliberately to crash into their targets.
  • Kamikaze attacks resulted in the sinking of 34 ships and damage to hundreds of others during the war. At Okinawa, they inflicted the greatest losses ever suffered by the U.S. Navy in a single battle, resulting in the deaths of nearly 5,000 men.

Impact of Drones in 21st Century Warfare

Drones have become a defining feature of 21st century warfare. Their ability to carry out missions with minimal risk to human life has made them a popular choice for militaries around the world.

Roles of Drones in Warfare:

  • Reconnaissance and Surveillance: Drones can provide a constant aerial view of the battlefield, allowing commanders to track enemy movements and assess threats. Their ability to stay airborne for long periods makes them ideal for persistent surveillance.

Drone reconnaissance

  • Targeted Strikes: Armed drones can be equipped with missiles and bombs, allowing them to carry out targeted strikes against enemy combatants. This can be particularly useful in eliminating high-value targets or engaging in close-air support operations.
  • Electronic Warfare: Drones can be used to jam enemy communications or disrupt their radar systems. This can give friendly forces a significant advantage on the battlefield.
  • Logistics and Resupply: Drones can be used to deliver supplies to troops in remote locations. This can be especially helpful in areas where traditional transportation methods are difficult or dangerous.

Impact of Drones on Warfare: The use of drones has had a significant impact on warfare in the 21st century.  They have allowed militaries to carry out operations with greater precision and lower risk to human life. 

Advantages

  • Reduced Risk: Drones keep soldiers out of harm's way by performing missions remotely. This is a significant benefit compared to traditional manned aircraft that risk pilot lives.
  • Enhanced Precision: Drones can deliver targeted strikes with greater accuracy compared to some conventional weapons, potentially minimizing civilian casualties.
  • Improved Intelligence: Equipped for reconnaissance and surveillance, drones provide real-time battlefield information, giving commanders a crucial edge.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Drones are generally cheaper to develop, maintain, and operate compared to manned aircraft.
  • Versatility: Drones come in various sizes for diverse applications, from surveillance to logistics and electronic warfare.

Ethical Concerns:

  • Civilian Casualties: Despite precision efforts, drone strikes can result in unintended civilian casualties, raising ethical and legal questions.
  • Accountability: The secretive nature of drone operations can make it difficult to hold those responsible for civilian casualties accountable.
  • Blurred Lines: Drone strikes can occur in countries not officially at war, blurring the lines between war and peace.
  • Psychological Impact: The constant threat of drone strikes can create fear and anxiety in civilian populations.
  • Proliferation: The increasing accessibility of drone technology raises concerns about their use by non-state actors.

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